February 27, 2008

 

Cover Kids With Autism

Children and their families living every day with the challenges of autism know how important treatment is. Expert after expert tells us that early and steady intervention and work can truly help children with autism to live a life full of opportunities. Lack of insurance coverage for autism related medical treatment is a mistake and creates a true hardship for families living with autism and their children.

By requiring insurance companies to cover the treatment of children with autism Wisconsin would join 18 other states that currently have the requirement. There are 300 Wisconsin children currently on Wisconsin’s autism treatment waiver program. Our choices are either to expand that program at an increased cost to taxpayers or to have insurance companies share the cost of this medical expense. Without passage of SB 178 or its Assembly companion bill families will be forced to once again be placed on a “wait and see” list for proven treatment for their children.

We know that there is a medical cost for treatment of children with autism, but we also know that there is a cost for lack of treatment as well. According to the Autism Society of Wisconsin, a recent study estimated that the cost of a child not treated for autism ranged from 3.5 to 4 million dollars over their lifetime. We know that early intervention works and will save suffering for the child as well as costs for the family and taxpayers in the long run. It is time for Wisconsin Insurance companies to cover autism as the medical condition is has been determined to be for years.

There is still time for the Assembly to act. Contact your Representative today at www.legis.state.wi.us . For more information contact Senator Erpenbach at 608-266-6670 or 1-888-549-0027